THE PALMER DIGGINGS

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 302, 11 December 1874, Page 3

THE PALMER DIGGINGS

(From our own correspondent.) Cooktown, October 30th, 1874. At the present time everyone speaks well of the Palmer, and business is excellent here, but'how long it can or will last is very uncertain. The alluvial ground will give work to a great many for the next twelvemonths. The reefs at present discovered compare very favorably with similar finds in other parts of the Colony. Whether they will pay to work under the present conditions has to bo proved. About chances I do not care to write. The principal business is a wholesale one for the supply of the diggers—very few storekeepers caring to keep open after six o'clock. Old Naseby faces are to be seen pushing up for the North Australian El Dorado; among others, I notice Robert Brown, John Latham, John O'Keefe, Tim O'Brien, and Alick Gibson. [Our correspondent, when he wrote, knew nothing of the great numbers that were en route from all parts of New Zealand, as well as Victoria, bound for Cooktown, or he would have -surely had a word of stronger cantiou than he sent before. We fear before long we shall hear of distresses in all shapes/notably— fever and famine in the midst of gold. ,It will be good news indeed 1i" our forebodings are contradicted.—Ep. M.I.C.] °